Being an African Wild Dog out here is not easy. It is a constant battle against hyenas for food, and avoiding lions is an absolute necessity for survival. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, there are roughly 1400 mature wild dogs in the wild. In the Kruger National Park, it is believed the number of adult wild dogs is between 250-300. To put it in perspective, spotted hyenas number 5000 +. That’s a lot of competition.
A male African Wild Dog stares intently toward a herd of wildebeest across a clearing. Wild Dog are very much visual hunters, using their excellent eyesight to scope out potential prey.
As a social animal, Wild Dogs are incredibly successful hunters, utilising their endurance and numbers to flush out, chase down and outflank their target. In fact, they are arguably the most successful predators with 70-80% of hunts ending successfully (compared to 20-30% in lions and leopards). However, as an individual dog the strength of the pack is gone. No one to help defend you, no one to help catch prey. It is an incredibly vulnerable position to be in.
In order to start a new pack though, individual dogs will separate off from their native pack in the search of another ‘disperser’ of the opposite sex. This ensures genetic diversity and strength of the population as a whole.
A pack on the hunt. The real strength of a pack is in their cooperation as a team. Heading out alone involves a lot of risk.
It would seem though, that the risk is worth it. It allows individuals the opportunity to spread their own genes (as otherwise only the alpha male and female in a pack are able to do so). For a while on Londolozi, we were seeing a lone male dog running all across the reserve. Sightings were infrequent, often separated by days or weeks. In late 2019, we began to see a single pair of dogs relatively frequently. The uniqueness of the male and female duo is that the female is lacking an ear! This makes them very easy to identify.
The one-eared female (left) and her mate (right) lie against each other after a successful hunt.
Against all odds, these two dogs managed to survive alone for months and somehow, across an area of 3,5 million hectares (~8,5 million acres) found each other. On top of this, they have accepted each other and are attempting to start a new pack.
The one-eared female showing how heavily pregnant she is.
When we first started seeing this pair in mid-to-late 2019, it was just after wild dogs normally give birth. The female was not pregnant, thus we assume that they only met up after the breeding season. Now in early April, she is heavily pregnant. This is incredibly exciting as we have a very real prospect that they may den on Londolozi. Interestingly, it is still about two months before Wild Dogs normally give birth. It looks to us that she may have pups within the next couple of weeks though…
A herd of impala fleeing from the pair during a hunt this week. The female was lagging behind, visibly struggling to keep up with the male due to the extra weight she was carrying.
We have been lucky enough to see the pair of dogs five times in the last week. Of the three hunts that we witnessed, all were successful. The male chased down impala over about 800 yards, managing to chase down and successfully catch a young impala each time. The show of stamina and speed was absolutely breathtaking.
The female with a very blood-soaked face having enjoyed an impala lamb that her partner had caught. Having just one ear, she is definitely at a disadvantage. She is noticeably more alert than her partner (who has two ears). We have no idea what happened to her ear, possibly lost at a young age.
Heart-warmingly, in each of the three instances when the male caught the prey, he allowed the female to take the majority of the meat. He would stand guard listening out for any danger while the female got her fill. A tactic to ensure the pups gain the nourishment they need while developing? We witnessed a hyena steal one of the kills from the pair – the male chased the hyena off and allowed the female to finish the remaining scraps.
We can’t help but think of this one-eared female dog and liken her to the success of the Tsalala lioness. Will the pair of dogs manage to find a suitable den? And will they manage to raise pups in this environment as a group of only two dogs? We are eagerly waiting for this story to unfold.
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i love watching the wild dogs, they sometimes like children playing together and the next minute they are off running, tails in the air and Talking to each other after dinner. I hope this pair succeeds, it would be so sad if they disappear from our world. Victoria
Wild dogs are my favourite predator. It is such a privelege to view this endangered species. It is fantastic news that they might den at Londolozi.
So very happy to hear of this pack of two and their recent successes. Wishing them well and looking forward to future updates. Thank you again for a very interesting and informative blog. Stay safe and be well.
How exciting! I cannot wait to see those puppies!
Absolutely LOVE this love story! I hope ot continues successfully! In awe and amazement. Dj
This is such an endearing story. I love wild dogs and their tremendous bond in their packs and how they care for the old and informed unlike other pack animals. This was the reason I was confused about a lone wild dog, so thank you for explaining this! I look forward to more tales of this pair!
Since there are only two of them, when the pups are born will the mother stay with them in the den and rely on the male to bring back food, or will she leave them to go hunting and return to them each day like a leopard?
Hi Chelsea,
Normally the mother in a pack would stay behind for the first few weeks to nurse the pups, while the rest go out and hunt. The others would then return to the den and regurgitate food for the mother (and the pups when they are old enough to eat meat). In this case, it is likely that the single female will remain at the den as normal while the male hunts alone. When the pups are about three weeks to a month old, there is a chance the female will also go out hunting with the male, but really time will tell!
Pete, I have never seen wild dog at Londolozi?
But I saw them in Tanzania
Hi Joan,
They have massive home ranges so they are quite rare to see.
Peter
Hope we can follow the progress!
Great story, Pete! I wish them luck and lots of puppies! Keep us posted!
Very exciting news Pete! It also reminds me of the lone female ostrich who eventually found a mate. It would be interesting to learn if she can at least partially hear out of her former ear. But it’s likely that scar tissue has closed off her canal but maybe not? Happy Easter with hope that you are savoring the calmness of the world.
Hi Peggy,
It’s likely that due to the lack of an outer ear, she struggles to identify direction of sound. She is noticeably more nervous than other dogs! It’s hard to tell whether the scar tissue has closed off her hearing completely.
Peter
Ahhhh I love this – thank you for sharing, Pete
Lovely to hear about the formation of the “Romeo and Juliet” pack … let’s hope they do have pups successfully!
That’s an uplifting story Pete. Love to hear of wild animals beating the odds. I really hope Mrs. Wild Dog decides to have her pups on Londolozi.
That is so awesome, I hope that they will be able to keep up with the two. Do you know if any other packs Are close by where they could possibly run into each other ? After she has puppies will become a difficult time for them when is comes to hunting I hope they will be successful
Hi Gina,
Just a few days ago a pack of 18 dogs came through Londolozi. They only hung around for one day and as far as we are aware, didn’t bump into the pair of dogs in question. The pack of 18 seems to spend most of their time west of us, so if the pair remains central on Londolozi they should avoid any conflict!
Fascinating story, Pete!!!! Please keep us posted!!!
I love wild dogs. Wild dogs and cheetahs have a special place in my heart. Hopefully, a new pack will raise from this pair!! Looking forward to learning about the number of pups.
Wild dogs were a definite favorite of mine. I have video of a pack feeding on an impala carcass. Very cool animals
So interesting to read about the wild dog couple! I wish them a lot of luck! Hope they make their den at Londolozi!! I look forward to read more about them!
I just love how their story is developing. Against all odds they met and now they are at the crossroads of beginning a new family/pack. Watching them is an adrenaline rush, sprinting after prey, catching it and then seeing them devour it in minutes. They’re not in the big five, but certainly deserve a place in the minor five!!
Hi Denise,
You’re right – they’re not in the big five. Some people refer to a super seven checklist when including cheetah and wild dog into the numbers. I think they should be at the top of everyone’s list!
Such lovely story , and stay safe !
Wild Dog always gets my adrenaline moving and this story is one of hope – a new pack would be a great gift and fantastic for the survival of the species
Super, Pete! How very, very interesting. I do hope these two overcome all the odds and produce a lovely litter of pups soon! Please keep us up-to-date with news regarding these two, will you? Thank you so much! Wendy M
Hi Wendy,
We will definitely e keeping everyone updated! It’s been a few days now with no sign of them, however we have had a lot of rain and tracking has been challenging… Unless they’ve settled at a den already? Time will tell!
Great story thank you, it will be fantastic if they stick around in the property.
Wow! What an amazing and captivating story. Can’t to hear of their future progress towards starting a pack!
I love wild dogs and I hope this couple can start a family!